Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts

Context (PIB): Explainer on Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA).
ABHA is an integral component of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which is India’s flagship national health protection scheme.

Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)

Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) is an account/ number used to link all a person’s health records.
Any individual can enroll in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to generate a Health ID or ABHA, free of cost.
An ABHA user has the following identifiers and user app to access the benefits under ABDM:
- ABHA number: Unique Health Identifier as a random 14-digit number:
- ABHA address: It is an easy-to-remember username that enables a user to access their health records digitally and share their records with various healthcare providers. An ABHA address may look like ‘name@abdm’.
- ABHA mobile application: It offers a convenient solution for individuals to access and share their health records digitally effortlessly.

Cashless Transactions for eligible beneficiaries seeking treatment at empanelled healthcare facilities. This reduces the financial burden on beneficiaries during medical emergencies.
Electronic Health Records (EHR) facilitate the storage and retrieval of patient information. This helps maintain medical histories and streamline healthcare delivery.
Portable across various healthcare providers empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, allowing beneficiaries to access services regardless of their location.
Real-time Monitoring mechanisms to track fund utilisation and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently. This helps prevent misuse and optimise the distribution of healthcare resources.
Transparency and Accountability by promoting digital transactions and maintaining electronic records. This reduces the scope for corruption.

Beneficiary Identification: Each beneficiary is assigned a unique health identification number (UHID) to facilitate tracking and management.
Funds Management: ABHA manages the allocation and disbursement of funds for healthcare services availed by beneficiaries.
Claim Settlement: ABHA processes and settles claims submitted by healthcare providers for services rendered to beneficiaries by verifying the authenticity of claims and disbursing payments accordingly.
Audit and Oversight: ABHA incorporates audit and oversight mechanisms to monitor the utilisation of funds and detect any irregularities or discrepancies.

Financial protection for vulnerable sections of society by covering the costs of healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. This reduces out-of-pocket expenses and enhances access to quality healthcare.
Efficient Healthcare Delivery: Facilitating cashless transactions and electronic health records minimizes administrative hassles and delays, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care.
Data-driven Decision Making: ABHA generates valuable data insights that can be used for evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.

ABHA shall integrate CGHS beneficiaries into the country’s digital health ecosystem.
A CGHS beneficiary shall be able to view the generated and linked health records in any of his/her preferred Personal Health Record (PHR) apps downloaded on the mobile device.
A CGHS beneficiary shall be able to digitally secure his/her health records and transfer them from one hospital or healthcare provider to another.
In the future, a CGHS beneficiary will be directly able to make an OPD appointment with a doctor just by scanning a QR code on his/her mobile device in front of the doctor’s room/registration desk in the wellness centre.